Society. Spaces. Screens

Abstract

Public spaces in urban India have undergone multiple shifts in their character, scale and role. From being foregrounds to power of rulers, to being the center of the freedom movement and, now, as spectators to the evolving pace of life, they have become multifaceted entities. Today, of all the changes, the increasingly weakened sense of vitality, public engagement, safety, and inclusivity seems to demand immediate attention. To study this aspect of urbanity, the paper uses the public toilets, often perceived as purely utilitarian, and an obstacle to the aesthetic character, as the area of study. The paper intends to discuss how public toilets hold the potential to foster public engagement and add value to the urban landscape. This study examines how interactive and sensory design, combined with space-tech interventions, can transform public toilets into sculptural pause-points challenging the stigma attached to them. The research investigates public toilets in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India assessing the existing issues through site visits, user surveys and interviews. The study explores integrating new media elements to elevate spaces beyond functionality. The findings suggest that interactive design interventions revive and enhance urban spaces and help minimise the stigma associated with public toilets in the Indian scenario. The study proposes that public toilets, through human-computer interaction, can become vital components of urban infrastructure. This approach adds life to the urban landscape and promotes sustainable integration of facilities into public settings. Design prototypes demonstrate these possibilities, with user feedback helping to refine, and validate the outcomes.